The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-03-25
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Rosters Relation OF Weymouth's Voyage
to the Coast of Maine, with an introduction
and notes by Henry Sweetsir. Burrage, DID.
From our acquaintance with some of the
faithful work in historic matters by the edi-
tor Of lions. Advocate, we were especially
pleased at the announcement of a reprint of
Rosters Relation, and were curious to see in
what possible new dress even SO able schol-
ar as Dr. Burrage could present this old and
scanty diary Of travels. We confess to OPEN
ing the Relation with some dread of its dull
ness, and although we owned to having more
interest in Burrage than in Roster, we feared
we were not inspired with the proper zeal to
test the merits of the much disputed point,
which could never affect the veal or woe of
any citizen of Maine. Hitherto we felt none
but lobbyist in history and antiquity could
care whether Weymouth sailed up the Pc
nobscot, the Kennebec or the Georges river:
but the culling for truth from the dross of
doubt is fascinating, and we were soon enter
ing with warmth into DR.. Burrage's exhaus-
tive and comparative analysis of the in
direct testimony bearing upon the subject in
the meagre illusions to Weymouth by Cham
plain, Smith, Gorges, and in Purchas his
Pilgrimmes in 1925, and the discussions of
different theories given by twenty or more
writers such as Belknap, Bancroft and our
own local historians like Sewall McKeen
and Others At the close of the argument we
awarded the laurel to DIR. Burrage for his
fair treatment of those advancing adverse
opinions, and for the convincing reasons in
support OF his own view. 1t seems now as
If his opponents must not only forever hold
their peace. but delight to set sail with the
Doctor in an imaginary triumphant voyage
In the English ship Archangel, under the
command Of George Weymouth, round Mon
hogan Island and up the Georges river.
We may well be ashamed of our complain
ings over an east wind or tardy spring.
which so often fails in its fair promises.
when we read such extravagant praises of
our country in the writings of many early
travellers, like Brereton, who says "We stood
like men ravished at the beauty and delicacy
OF this sweet SOIL" and in another place he
depicted the magnifcence and fertility of the
country, compared with which the most fer
tile part of England was but barren" and
still further, "This main is the goodliest con-
tinent we ever saw, promising more by far
than any we did expect, being furnished
with pleasant brooks and beautiful with two
main rivers, that haply become good harbors
and conduct us to the hopes men SO greedily
do thirst after"
The clear style of the introduction and in
teresting notes make this most readable
book. DR.. Burrage's success is the result of
most patient and assiduous toll in collecting
his material. His note explaining the sig
nifcance of the frequent connection in art of
the scallop with ST. James and the Spanish
legend of the drowning knight who was
saved by the miraculous and happy appear
ance OF the old saint interested us much.
Dr. Burrage brings to notice the discovery
OF a rare old manuscript found in the British
Museum. which George Weymouth prepared
Tor the purpose of laying before King James
l. his project OF settlements in the New
World. This scholarly and beautifully exc
cuted volume makes us proud of the pro-
found learning of our early discoverer, who
has in the past been considered wild and
Ignorant adventurer; but today, whether he
was by birth prince or peasant Way-
mouths name stands in equal rank side by
side with that of Sir Ferdinando Gorges. Sir
Walter Raleigh, Sir Richard Greenyille or
any of the nobility who sent adventurers in
to the Western world. Dr. Burrage also gives
us letter, which the Queen sent by Way
mouth on previous voyage, hoping he
would find the long dreamed of northwest
passage to the Indies. AS we read the gran
address of Elizabeth by the Grace
OF God, Queen of England, France and Ire
land, Defender Of the Faith, &c. To the
great, mighty and Invincible Emperour of |
Cathaia greeting" we could imagine with |
what pride and bright dreams of the future |
favor at Court, George Weymouth contem-
plated the fulfllment Of this commission as |
he embarked for the Orient by way of the |
setting sun. While we read the letter, fan
,ying that it might have reached its goal we
Gould weave most charming love story, in
which we should picture dark eyed and |
'un burnt emperor of the golden Indies
illed with wonder as he pored over the mas
i've and spreadeagle signature and royal seal
II the virgin Saxon queen who held imperial
way in the sunless realms of the North; but
was not so to be. and we pity George Way
mouths life long disappointment that his
ierculean efforts failed to meet the royal
approval or to gain for him the support
which he must have richly deserved.
The printing, style and illustrations are
lnished in the excellent workmanship of